The UN Advocacy Officer of the Central Tibetan Administration, Phuntsok Topgyal, speaking during the ongoing 17th United Nations Forum on Minority Issues. 

Geneva: The 17th United Nations Forum on Minority Issues is being held in Geneva with the participation of approximately 690 attendees, marking a significant increase in engagement compared to previous years, according to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Secretariat. The forum brings together a diverse group of experts, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and individuals to address critical issues affecting national, ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities worldwide.

This year’s forum explores four primary themes: representation in public spaces, education, media and culture. Discussions focus on the inclusion of minorities in public decision-making, the preservation of their history and heritage in educational systems, the role of media and cultural platforms in amplifying minority voices. Attendees are also assessing policies that ensure minority groups can engage fully in their own cultural activities and practices.

Earlier today on 29 November 2024, Phuntsok Topgyal, the UN Advocacy Officer from the Tibet Bureau Geneva, highlighted the dire situation in Tibet during a session on education. He condemned the Chinese government for what he described as a systematic campaign of cultural destruction that threatens the survival of Tibetan identity.

The UN Advocacy Officer disclosed that over 1 million Tibetan children have been forcibly enrolled in colonial-style boarding schools where Tibetan language instruction is banned, and Mandarin is enforced as the only medium of communication. He further detailed the demolition of sacred sites like Atsok Monastery and the relocation of Tibetan populations from their ancestral lands.

“The persecution is not limited to infrastructure and education,” Topgyal said. “Advocates for Tibetan cultural preservation face severe repression, with individuals like Tsering Tso detained for speaking out against ethnic discrimination. The removal of young monks from religious institutions signals a direct attack on the transmission of Tibetan traditions to future generations.”

The council is considering actions to hold the Chinese government accountable for its atrocities and ensure equal rights for Tibetan children to receive education in the Tibetan language.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues has issued a formal call for contributions to the ongoing UN Forum on Minority Issues. Participants are invited to share their experiences, perspectives, and data related to challenges and opportunities concerning the representation and self-representation of minorities in public spaces and discourse.

The forum seeks to identify obstacles faced by minorities and highlight effective initiatives and good practices that promote their fair and equitable representation. Contributions from participants will inform the Chairperson’s summary of the forum’s discussions.

Based on the dialogue and input received, the Special Rapporteur will prepare a detailed report outlining the forum’s recommendations, which will be submitted to the Human Rights Council. This initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen the representation of minorities in line with international human rights standards.

-Report filed by Office of Tibet, Geneva